BN manifesto: To draft Political Funding Act, for transparent political practices

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) is determined to ensure that political practices in Malaysia are carried out in a responsible and transparent manner through the formulation of the Political Funding Act, said its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

This is in line with the reforms that BN wants to bring through the coalition's manifesto for the 15th general election (GE15), featuring 'Perancangan Amal dan Usaha' (PADU) launched by Ahmad Zahid online tonight.

He said PADU is a doubling of efforts by BN to lay important foundations to create a better future for all.

"The process of building a successful nation and a prosperous society is a task and responsibility that takes time...However, that does not mean that we (BN) should not start work from now. A good future for all should commence now.

"For that, BN is determined to ensure that political practices in this country are carried out only in a responsible and transparent manner through the drafting of the Political Funding Act," he said during the launch of the manifesto.

Ahmad Zahid also said at the same time, the appointment of key national positions such as the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the chairman of the Election Commission will be screened by a special parliamentary committee.

"Through their representatives in Parliament, the people will be given a mandate to scrutinise and be involved in the screening of appointments to the most important public positions in the country," he said.

Based on the PADU document, it outlines BN's efforts to ensure political stability and improve the performance efficiency of public institutions, including studying the devolution of power from the federal government to the state governments to enhance efficiency and strengthen the Federation-States spirit.

Apart from that, it is to eliminate conflicts of interest through the implementation of the separation of positions and functions of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor, establishing a Youth Committee for Policy Review in Parliament and upgrading the Malaysian Integrity Institute (IIM) as an independent commission to strengthen the integrity ethics of public institutions and society.

-- BERNAMA